Method and apparatus for heating fluid

ABSTRACT

A first plurality or group of magnets is mounted in a housing in a pattern having a circular cross section. A second plurality or group of magnets is mounted in spaced relationship with respect to the first group and means are provided for moving one of the groups of magnets relative to the other. A conductive member is located in the space between the two groups of magnets, in the magnetic field therebetween. Rotation of the one group and variation in the flux causes the conductive member to become heated. A fluid is then directed past the member, in heattransfer relationship with respect thereto, to cause the fluid to be heated and useable as a working fluid.

United States Patent [191 Hagerty [11] 3,821,508 June 28, 1974 METHODAND APPARATUS FOR HEATING FLUID Inventor: John P. Hagerty, Prescott,Ariz.

Hagerty Research and Development Co., Inc., Prescott, Ariz.

Filed: Apr. 23, 1973 Appl. No.: 353,646

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Burnett 219/1049 3,671,714 6/1972Charns 219/1049 X Primary ExaminerBruce A. Reynolds Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Allen D. Gutchess, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A first plurality or group of magnets is mounted in ahousing in a pattern having a circular cross section. A second pluralityor group of magnets is mounted in spaced relationship with respect tothe first group and means are provided for moving one of the groups ofmagnets relative to the other. A conductive member is located in thespace between the two groups of magnets, in the magnetic fieldtherebetween. Rotation of the one group and variation in the flux causesthe conductive member to become heated. A fluid is then di-' rected pastthe member, in heat-transfer relationship with respect thereto, to causethe fluid to be heated and useable as a working fluid.

118 Cllaims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUNN 5974 saw 2 OF 3 PATENWEUJWBm4 SHEET 3 UP 3 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING FLUID This inventionrelates to a method and apparatus for converting the forces of magnetisminto heat.

The subject matter is disclosed in Disclosure Document No. 016625.

In accordance with the invention, a first plurality of magnets aredisposed in a circular pattern, as viewed in transverse cross section. Asecond plurality of magnets are maintained in spaced relationship withrespect to the first plurality. A conductive member is positioned in thespace between the two groups of magnets. At least one of the groups ofmagnets is rotated to establish a variable flux therebetween by thealternate attraction and repulsion, or variation in the strength of theretraction or repulsion, of the magnets. This induces heating in theconductive member. A fluid such as air is moved past the heated member,in heattransfer relationship with respect thereto, to become heated andready to impart energy as it exits as a heated working fluid.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide animproved method and apparatus for heating a fluid with the aid of amagnetic field.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic view in longitudinal cross section, withparts broken away, of apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in transverse cross section, taken along the line 22 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in transverse cross section taken along the line 33 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in longitudinal cross section, taken along the line 44of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view of modifiedapparatus;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of further modified apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view, with parts broken away and with parts insection, of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 embodied in a reaction engine;

FIG. 8 is a schematic, enlarged view in elevation, with parts brokenaway, of the apparatus of FIG. 7 embodied in a closed system;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in longitudinal cross section ofmodified apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken along the line 10-10 ofFIG. 9', and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken along the line 11-11 ofFIG. 9.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-4, apparatus forheating a fluid is indicated at and includes a main housing 22. Thehousing 22 has a central cylindrical portion 24, a fluid inlet 26, aflared rear portion 28, and a fluid outlet 30. A first plurality orgroup of U-shaped magnets 32 are mounted in the cylindrical portion 24of the housing 22, with the legs or ends of the magnets extendingsubstantially radially inwardly and with the magnets being disposed in aconfiguration which is circular in transverse cross section.

A rotor 34 is centrally located within the housing 22 and also has aplurality of magnets 36 mounted therein 'with the legs or ends extendingradially outwardly and forming a circular pattern in transverse crosssection.

Whilethe magnets are shown as being of the permanent type, theelectromagnets can also be employed.

The housing 22, at least the cylindrical portion 24 carrying the magnets32, and the rotor 34 are made of a heat resistant material which willnot have a deleterious effect on the flux of the magnets. A berylliumcopper alloy can be used for this purpose. If necessary, the magnets 32and 36 can be provided with sheaths therearound of a silver-copperalloy, comprising one part of copper to nine parts of silver, to directthe flux more effectively outwardly toward the other magnets. The endsof the magnets, however, do not have such sheaths. The rotor 34 and thecylindrical housing portion 24 can also be made of heat-resistantplastic material, such as a commercially-available silicone desig natedRTV 615 which resists heat at temperatures exceeding 4,000 F. With aplastic material, the magnets can be completely embedded therein toprovide additional heat protection for the magnets, since the magneticflux will not be impeded or absorbed by the plastic material. Acombination of metallic and plastic materials can also be employed.

The rotor 34 is supported on a shaft 38 extending therethrough. Theshaft 38 is rotatably carried by a bearing 40 at its rearward ordownstream end, with the bearing mounted in a stationary support or cowl42. The cowl 42, in' turn, is supported in the housing 22 by struts 44(FIGS. 1 and 2). At the forward or upstream end, the shaft 38 isrotatably carried by a bearing 46 through which the shaft extends. Thebearing 46 is mounted in a cowl or shield 48 which is also supported bythe housing 22 through struts 58. The rotor 34, the rear cowl 42, andthe front cowl 48 provide a smooth teardrop configuration to minimizeresistance to fluid flowing through the housing 22.

The shaft 38 extends forwardly through the inlet 26 of the housing 22and through a high-speed rotary compressor 52 (FIG. I) which suppliesfluid under pressure through the inlet 26. A drive motor 54 or othersuitable power source rotates the shaft 38 to drive the compressor 52and to rotate the rotor 34.

A heating element 56 is positioned in the space between the firstplurality or group of the magnets 32 and the second plurality or groupof the magnets 36. The heating element 56 includes a generallycylindrical portion 58 with heavier ribs 60 extending outwardlytherefrom between the outer stationary magnets 32. The ribs 60 terminateat their downstream ends in dispersion fins 62 which further aid intransferring heat to the working fluid. As best shown in FIG. 4,the'fins 62 are mounted on the rear cowl 42 to support the rear portionof the heating element 56. The forward portion of the element 56 hasshort struts 64 mounted on the front cowl 48 to support the frontportion of the element 56. The forward portion of the element 56 is openexcept for the struts 64, while the rear portion has outlets 66 (FIG. 1)between the fins 62 to enable fluid to pass be tween the element 56 andthe rotor 34, as well between the elemcnt 56 and the cylindrical portion24 of the housing 22.

Hence, with this arrangement of the magnets, the flux varies from amaximum attraction force to a maximum repulsion force to produce arapidly alternating flux which cuts back and forth across the heatingelement 56. The flux is of an intermediate strength when the magneticpoles of the magnets 36 are between the poles of the magnets 32.

The magnets can also be arranged with like poles always being directlyopposite when the poles are aligned. This can be accomplished byreversing the poles of all of the magnets 32 or the poles of all of themagnets 36, or by placing all the magnets 32 and 36 with the northpoles, for example, toward the inlet end of the housing 22. In thisinstance, there is no attraction force but only pulsating repulsionforces which vary from a minimum when the magnets 36 are between themagnets 32 to a maximum when they are directly opposite. Similarly, themagnets can be arranged with unlike poles always being directly oppositewhen the poles are aligned. Accordingly, the magnets 32 can bepositioned with their north poles toward the inlet end of the housing,for example, and the magnets 36 can be positioned with their south polestoward the exhaust end of the housing. In this instance, only pulsatingattraction forces exist, with these varying from a minimum with thepoles of the magnets 36 between the poles of the magnets 32 to a maximumwhen the poles are directly opposite.

The magnets can be placed transversely of the housing 22 rather thanlongitudinally, if desired. An arrangement of this type is shown in FIG.where outer magnets 68 are positioned transversely in the cylindricalportion 24 of the housing 22 and inner magnets 70 are similarlypositionedtransversely in the rotor 34. In this instance, a slightlymodified heating element 72 has a generally cylindrical portion 74 andheavier ribs 76 which are generally of a wedge shape in transverse crosssection rather than semi-cylindrical, as is true of the ribs 60.

In addition to rotating the'rotor 34, it is also possible to rotate thehousing in the opposite direction to increase the frequency ofpulsations or alternations in the flux field. Referring to FIG. 6, amodified outer housing 78 is rotatably supported, as by bearings atinlet and outlet end portions thereof, andis also suitably driven in adirection opposite that of the rotor 34. A modified heating element 80is generally cylindrical and specifically of an angular, corrugatedshape which is less massive than the heating elements 56 and 72.However, the element 80 provides a sizable surface area for heattransfer and is less expensive to fabricate. The shape of this elementalso causes variations in space and distance from one magnet field tothe opposite one to provide further variations in the flux.

Rather than using the heated fluid to perform work in some other deviceor location, the apparatus can have a high velocity reaction nozzle toserve as a reaction engine. Referring to FIG. 7, a modified housing 82includes the cylindrical portion 24 and the flared portion 28 but has anextension chamber 84 therebehind to provide space in which the hightemperature working fluid can accummulate and dwell before partiallyexhausting through a Vena Contracta 86 of a high velocity nozzle 88.This provides the necessary velocity for propulsion of the overallapparatus.

Referring to FIG. 8, the reaction engine of FIG. 7 is mounted in aclosed system in an environment where air is not present in sufficientquantities or where a different working fluid such as an inert gas, isemployed. In this instance, the nozzle 88 has four vanes 90 thereinlocated at mutually perpendicular angles which direct the fluid throughan outlet opening 92 to return ducts 94. The vanes 90 can stabilize orchange the flight direction of a vehicle in which the system isinstalled. The return ducts 94 direct the fluid to displacement tanks 96which communicate with the rotary compressor 52. The compressor 52receives the fluid through inlets 98, recompresses it, and againdelivers it to the housing 82 to receive additional heat from theelement 56. The displacement tanks 96 provide space for negativepressure into which the nozzle 88 can exhaust, to maintain mozzleefficiency.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 9-11, modified apparatus fortransferring heat to a fluid is indicated at 100. The apparatus includesa housing 102 having an enlarged, generally cylindrical, intermediatesection 104, an annular fluid inlet 106, and an annular fluid exhaust108. The apparatus has three stationary groups or pluralities 110, 112,114 of magnets, including U- shaped magnets 116 for the groups and 114and bar magnets 118 for the central stationary group 112. The magnets116 are mounted in annular supporting members 120 with the forwardmember mounted on an inwardly-extending flange 122 near the fluid inlet106, and the rear member 120 mounted on a transverselyextending wall 124of a cowl 126. The center bar magnets 118 are mounted in an annularsupporting member 128 which is located on a hub 130 and supported bystruts 131 extending outwardly to the inner surface of the housingportions 104.

Two rotatable groups or pluralities 132 and 134 of the bar magnets 118are also mounted in circular rotors or rotatable members 136 and I38.The members 136 and 138 are affixed to a drive shaft 140 which can bedriven by a suitable power source or drive motor similar to the motor54.

Heating elements 142 are located between the adjacent stationary androtatable magnet groups, including one between the stationary group 110and the rotatable group 132, one between the rotatable group 132 and thestationary group 112, one between the stationary group 112 and therotatable group 134, and one between the rotatable group 134 and thestationary group 114. The outer heating elements 142 are mounted ontubular hubs 144 and 146 while the inner two heating elements 142 aremounted on the hub 130 carried by the stationary group 112. Fluidopenings 148 are provided in each of the elements 142 and the elementsalso preferably have slots 150 therein, as shown in FIG. 10, to increasethe surface area presented to the fluid passing through. The rotatablegroups 132 and 134 also have fluid openings 152 therein and thestationary group 112 has fluid openings 154 therein. The fluid can thenflow from the annular inlet 106 through the openings and past theheating elements 142 as the fluid moves outwardly toward the annularexhaust passage 108.

The heating elements 142 are heated in a manner similar to the elementsof FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 and also transfer the heat to the fluid. Themagnets can be located with opposite poles aligned or with like polesaligned to provide either an alternating or a pulsating type of fluxvariance. If desired, the apparatus 100 can be employed in a turbine inthe section normally carrying the combustion cans to heat the fluid fromthe forward compressorsection of the turbine in a manner similar to thatachieved with the combustion cans but without the need for combustiblefuels.

Various modifications of the above described embodiments of theinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is to beunderstood that such modifications can be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention, if they are within the spirit and the tenorof the accompanying claims.

I claim: I

1. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a first plurality ofmagnets, means holding said magnets in a predetermined pattern, a secondplurality of magnets, means holding the second plurality of magnets in apre determined pattern in spaced relationship with said first plurality,means for moving at least one of said plurality of magnets relative tothe other, a stationary conductive member, means positioning saidconductive member in the space between said first and said secondplurality of magnets, and means for passing fluid in heat transferrelationship with both sides of said conductive member between saidfirst and second pluralities of magnets.

2. Apparatus according to claim ll characterized by said first andsecond pluralities of magnets being positioned so that like poles andunlike poles are alternately aligned as the one plurality of magnets ismoved.

3. Apparatus according to claim ll characterized by said first andsecond pluralities of magnets being positioned so that only like polesare aligned as the one plurality of magnets is moved.

4. Apparatus according to claim ll characterized by said first andsecond pluralities of magnets being positioned so that only unlike polesare aligned as the one plurality of magnets is moved.

5. Apparatus according to claim ll characterized by said conductivemember being of a generally cylindrical shape, said moving means rotatessaidone plurality of magnets around an axis, and said fluid passingmeans directs the fluid in a direction substantially parallel to theaxis of rotation.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said conductivemember being of a generally circular shape. i

7. Apparatus according to claim ll characterized by said magnets beingU-shaped permanent magnets with legs extending generally radially.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said magnets beingpermanent bar magnets extending transversely to the movement of the oneplurality of magnets.

9. Apparatus according to claim ll characterized by said first andsecond pluralities being disposed generally in cylindricalconfiguration.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by there being at leasttwo of the first plurality of magnets and at least two of the secondplurality of magnets with at least one of the second plurality beingdisposed between two adjacent ones of the first plurality.

11. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a housing, a firstplurality of magnets mounted in a pattern with a circular transversecross section in said housing, a rotatable member with an outer circularconfiguration, a second plurality of magnets held by said rotatablemember, means for rotating said rotatable member, a conductive memberbetween said first and said second plurality of magnets. and means forestablishing a flow of fluid past both sides of said conductive memherfrom one end of said housing toward the other.

12. Apparatus according to claim lll characterized by said first andsecond pluralities being positioned so that like poles and unlikepolesare alternately aligned as the second plurality of magnets isrotated by said rotatable member.

13. Apparatus according to claim lll characterized by said first andsaid second pluralities of magnets being positioned so that only likepoles are aligned as the second plurality of magnets is rotated by therotatable member.

14. Apparatus according to claim ill characterized by said first andsaid second pluralities of magnets being positioned so that only unlikepoles are aligned as the second plurality of magnets is rotated by therotatable member.

15. Apparatus according to claim lll characterized by said heatconductive member being of generally cylindrical shape, and said meansfor establishing the flow of fluid directs the flow generally parallelto the axis of rotation of said rotatable member.

16. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said conductivemember being of generally circular shape.

17. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a housing, a firstplurality of magnets mounted in a pattern with a circular transversecross section in said housing, a rotatable member with an outer circularconfiguration, a second plurality of magnets held by said rotatablemember, means for rotating said rotatable member, a conductive memberbetween said first and said second plurality of magnets, means forestablishing a flow of fluid past said conductive member, saidconductive member being of generally cylindrical shape and having aplurality of longitudinally-extending ribs which extend outwardlybetween certain ones of said first plurality of magnets.-

18. Apparatus according to claim 117 characterized by said ribsterminating in dispersion fins downstream of said magnets.

=i i 1: l

1. Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a first plurality ofmagnets, means holding said magnets in a predetermined pattern, a secondplurality of magnets, means holding the second plurality of magnets in apredetermined pattern in spaced relationship with said first plurality,means for moving at least one of said plurality of magnets relative tothe other, a stationary conductive Member, means positioning saidconductive member in the space between said first and said secondplurality of magnets, and means for passing fluid in heat transferrelationship with both sides of said conductive member between saidfirst and second pluralities of magnets.
 2. Apparatus according to claim1 characterized by said first and second pluralities of magnets beingpositioned so that like poles and unlike poles are alternately alignedas the one plurality of magnets is moved.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 1 characterized by said first and second pluralities of magnetsbeing positioned so that only like poles are aligned as the oneplurality of magnets is moved.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1characterized by said first and second pluralities of magnets beingpositioned so that only unlike poles are aligned as the one plurality ofmagnets is moved.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized bysaid conductive member being of a generally cylindrical shape, saidmoving means rotates said one plurality of magnets around an axis, andsaid fluid passing means directs the fluid in a direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of rotation.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1characterized by said conductive member being of a generally circularshape.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said magnetsbeing U-shaped permanent magnets with legs extending generally radially.8. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said magnets beingpermanent bar magnets extending transversely to the movement of the oneplurality of magnets.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized bysaid first and second pluralities being disposed generally incylindrical configuration.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1characterized by there being at least two of the first plurality ofmagnets and at least two of the second plurality of magnets with atleast one of the second plurality being disposed between two adjacentones of the first plurality.
 11. Apparatus for heating a fluidcomprising a housing, a first plurality of magnets mounted in a patternwith a circular transverse cross section in said housing, a rotatablemember with an outer circular configuration, a second plurality ofmagnets held by said rotatable member, means for rotating said rotatablemember, a conductive member between said first and said second pluralityof magnets, and means for establishing a flow of fluid past both sidesof said conductive member from one end of said housing toward the other.12. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized by said first andsecond pluralities being positioned so that like poles and unlike polesare alternately aligned as the second plurality of magnets is rotated bysaid rotatable member.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterizedby said first and said second pluralities of magnets being positioned sothat only like poles are aligned as the second plurality of magnets isrotated by the rotatable member.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 11characterized by said first and said second pluralities of magnets beingpositioned so that only unlike poles are aligned as the second pluralityof magnets is rotated by the rotatable member.
 15. Apparatus accordingto claim 11 characterized by said heat conductive member being ofgenerally cylindrical shape, and said means for establishing the flow offluid directs the flow generally parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid rotatable member.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterizedby said conductive member being of generally circular shape. 17.Apparatus for heating a fluid comprising a housing, a first plurality ofmagnets mounted in a pattern with a circular transverse cross section insaid housing, a rotatable member with an outer circular configuration, asecond plurality of magnets held by said rotatable member, means forrotating said rotatable member, a conductive member between said firstand said second plurality of magnets, meaNs for establishing a flow offluid past said conductive member, said conductive member being ofgenerally cylindrical shape and having a plurality oflongitudinally-extending ribs which extend outwardly between certainones of said first plurality of magnets.
 18. Apparatus according toclaim 17 characterized by said ribs terminating in dispersion finsdownstream of said magnets.